Saints Coach Phil Dowson: ‘Banking Was a Difficult Experience’
Northampton isn't exactly the most glamorous location on the planet, but its rugby union team offers plenty of thrills and drama.
In a city renowned for shoe production, you might expect kicking to be the Saints’ modus operandi. However under leader Phil Dowson, the squad in their distinctive colors prefer to run with the ball.
Even though representing a distinctly UK location, they display a panache typical of the greatest Gallic exponents of attacking rugby.
Since Dowson and fellow coach Sam Vesty took over in 2022, the Saints have secured the domestic league and gone deep in the Champions Cup – beaten by a French side in last season’s final and eliminated by the Irish province in a semi-final before that.
They currently top the competition ladder after four wins and a draw and head to Bristol on matchday as the sole undefeated team, chasing a initial success at their opponent's ground since 2021.
It would be natural to think Dowson, who participated in 262 premier fixtures for various teams altogether, consistently aimed to be a manager.
“As a professional, I hadn't given it much thought,” he states. “Yet as you age, you realise how much you appreciate the sport, and what the normal employment looks like. I spent some time at a financial institution doing work experience. You do the commute a several occasions, and it was difficult – you see what you do and don’t have.”
Discussions with Dusty Hare and Jim Mallinder culminated in a role at Northampton. Fast-forward several seasons and Dowson manages a roster increasingly packed with global stars: prominent figures started for the Red Rose versus the the Kiwis two weeks ago.
The young flanker also had a profound impact from the replacements in England’s perfect autumn while the number ten, down the line, will take over the No 10 jersey.
Is the rise of this remarkable cohort attributable to the Saints’ culture, or is it luck?
“It's a mix of each,” states Dowson. “I’d credit Chris Boyd, who thrust them into action, and we had difficult periods. But the practice they had as a group is definitely one of the reasons they are so united and so gifted.”
Dowson also cites Mallinder, a former boss at their stadium, as a key figure. “It was my good fortune to be coached by highly engaging people,” he notes. “He had a major effect on my professional journey, my training methods, how I deal with individuals.”
Saints demonstrate appealing rugby, which proved literally true in the case of their new signing. The Frenchman was involved with the opposing team overcome in the European competition in April when Freeman scored a three tries. Belleau was impressed enough to reverse the trend of UK players moving to France.
“A mate rang me and said: ‘There’s a French 10 who’s looking for a side,’” Dowson says. “My response was: ‘There's no budget for a overseas star. A different option will have to wait.’
‘He desires a fresh start, for the opportunity to challenge himself,’ my friend said. That intrigued us. We had a conversation with Belleau and his communication was outstanding, he was eloquent, he had a sense of humour.
“We questioned: ‘What are you seeking from this?’ He answered to be guided, to be pushed, to be outside his comfort zone and away from the French league. I was saying: ‘Come on in, you’re a legend of a man.’ And he proved to be. We’re blessed to have him.”
Dowson comments the 20-year-old Henry Pollock provides a particular energy. Does he know an individual comparable? “Not really,” Dowson replies. “Everyone’s original but he is different and unique in numerous aspects. He’s unafraid to be authentic.”
His spectacular score against the Irish side in the past campaign showcased his freakish ability, but various his demonstrative in-game actions have resulted in allegations of cockiness.
“He sometimes seems arrogant in his actions, but he’s the opposite,” Dowson says. “And Henry’s not joking around all the time. In terms of strategy he has contributions – he’s not a clown. I think sometimes it’s portrayed that he’s just this idiot. But he’s clever and a positive influence in the squad.”
Hardly any directors of rugby would admit to having a bromance with a head coach, but that is how Dowson describes his partnership with his co-coach.
“Together possess an inquisitiveness regarding different things,” he explains. “We maintain a literary circle. He aims to discover various elements, seeks to understand everything, aims to encounter new experiences, and I think I’m the alike.
“We converse on lots of subjects away from the sport: cinema, books, concepts, culture. When we played our French rivals in the past season, Notre-Dame was under renovation, so we had a quick look.”
A further fixture in France is approaching: Northampton’s comeback with the domestic league will be short-lived because the Champions Cup kicks in soon. Their next opponents, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, are the initial challenge on the coming weekend before the Bulls visit the following weekend.
“I’m not going to be arrogant sufficiently to {